No starting QB determined yet for Seahawks

RENTON – If Seahawks coach Pete Carroll knows who his starting quarterback will be on Saturday when his team hosts the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the playoffs, he’s not saying.

Carroll said Monday that Matt Hasselbeck won’t be limited at all in practice this week, and that the veteran will split reps with Charlie Whitehurst on Tuesday.

Beyond that, Carroll’s playing it close to the vest. He says both will prepare this week as if they’re going to start.

“We’ll find out during the week,” Carroll said. “I’ll let you know. I don’t need to determine that yet. I know you all want me to nail that for you, but I’m not going to, because I don’t know.”

Hasselbeck, who suffered a hip strain in a Week 16 loss at Tampa Bay, went through pregame warmups without a hitch on Sunday and Carroll said he could have played. But a relentless Rams defensive front had Whitehurst “running for his life” at times, Carroll said, and he was more comfortable with Whitehurst’s mobility than with Hasselbeck’s.

Given an extra week, though, Hasselbeck may be the more viable option.

“We’ll figure it out, we don’t know yet,” Carroll said. “Right now our concerns are about health, making sure everyone’s OK. The way the game worked out, it really helped us. Charlie did a great job to survive that game. The rush was on him, he was running for his life at times.”

Carroll also indicated that Whitehurst may be a little banged up from some shots he took during the game, though it’s nothing that would keep him out of practice.

Whitehurst was 22 of 36 passing for 192 yards in Seattle’s 16-6 win over the Rams on Sunday that clinched the NFC West championship.

NOTES

Receiver Mike Williams confirmed that he’s agreed to a three-year contract extension with the Seahawks. More details coming on that in a little bit.

Carroll confirmed that defensive line coach Dan Quinn, who has accepted the defensive coordinator job at the University of Florida, will remain with the Seahawks until they’re eliminated from the playoffs.

Left guard Chester Pitts suffered a “serious concussion,” Carroll said, and will miss this week.

Tight end Chris Baker will also miss this week with a hip fracture suffered on Sunday.

Receiver Brandon Stokley is questionable to return this week. He suffered a concussion in the Tampa Bay game.